The Emancipator was ferrying Director Voda Tsark of the Intelligence branch of the New Republic who was acting as an envoy to reopen diplomatic channels with Corellia. Tsark refused an escort of X-wing Starfighters into corellian space, saying that she put her faith in the Protectorate to ensure her security in Corellia during the talks.

The negotiations proceeded fairly, with a free trade agreement being settled as well as a combined training operation between republican and corellian pilots to strengthen bonds. However, during the talks, a lone imperial Star Wing bomber illegally intruded on the discussions, demanding information on the non-existent Republic escort that flew with the Emancipator. Voda Tsark informed the pilot that this was a mission of peace, and the corellian security force intercepted and escorted the craft out of the system without violence.

After the conference, the Emancipator was escorted by corellian security vessel Vanquisher as a measure of increased security due to the appearance of the unwelcome imperial bomber. The Emancipator proceeded through the Kuat system and entered Coruscant, eager to return home to cement the agreements amongst the senate.

But the crew of the Emancipator were in for a terrible surprise. Upon entering orbit of Coruscant, an imperial raider managed to slip past the security measures of the planet and prey upon the virtually helpless Emancipator and its crew. The raider killed 27 people and injured dozens, including Director Voda Tsark in its brutal attack. The Emancipator fell into the atmosphere of Coruscant and if not for the efforts of the security tug crafts would have crashed into Galactic City, injuring countless innocent people.

After being treated by paramedics at the rescue site of the survivors, Voda Tsark regretted her decision to leave without an escort, saying “I shouldn’t have been so naïve to think that the Imperial Remnant would have a shred of respect for a mission of peace and cooperation. I’ve learned my lesson, but at such a terrible price.”

The Emancipator has been transported to an on-planet repair bay to begin mending the catastrophic damage it received.

In a probing attempt, a squadron of scouting New Republic starfighters crossed the border of Coruscant and Borleias, only to be met by patrolling Imperial forces. The Empire acted swiftly to the incursion, fortifying their fighter wings with TIE Interceptor Starfighters and Star Wing gunboats. Outgunned and becoming surrounded, New Republic starfighters called in fleet support from New Republic Command in Coruscant.

With A-wing interceptors slowing the advance of the TIE fighters and assault ships with their disruption missiles, the Republic fighters were able to fend off the onslaught in time for the NRS Calypso to come to their aid. A Nebulon frigate with an improved anti-fighter armament, the Calypso was able to draw fire from the stranded pilots to allow them to escape.

Retaliating, the Empire fielded a frigate of their own, the Provoker. Ill-equipped for the new capital ship, the Calypso began to retreat, the Provoker hot on its tail. Unable to escape the enemy forces alone, the Calypso tried to fight back, to little avail, taking fire from the Provoker and gunships alike.

Having just escaped the imperial ships, the New Republic starfighters saw the losing battle the Calypso was fighting and leaped back into the fray, the previously rescued now becoming the rescuers. With the combined efforts of the reconnaissance group and the Calypso, the New Republic was able to buy themselves enough time to plot an intersystem jump and then return back to Coruscanti space.

Having escaped a nearly devastating defeat, the New Republic ships are now in military repair yards; the pilots and crew of the battle counting themselves lucky and getting some well-deserved rest.

How will the New Republic respond to this new information of new strength amongst the Imperial patrols? Stay tuned to NRNN to find out!